Venn took a wary step back. "Reed? What are you doing?"

Reed had several lengths of rope draped over his arm. He had a pained expression on his face. "I'm sorry, Venn. I can't have you following me on this. It's a one man job, two might make it deadly."

Venn eyed the ropes with dread. "How can a person at your back make things more dangerous?"

Reed shook his head and slowly moved toward Venn. "We've been through this. You need to stay here. I need to know you wont follow me so... we can do this one of two ways."

Fear flashed in the black pits of Venn's eyes. Without a word he bolted away from Reed. Reed heard him run down the stairs and sighed. He had been hoping Venn would relent, but knew it had been a foolish hope. He knew how much Venn hated being alone and helpless.

Reed followed down the stairs with heavy steps. He ducked to the side as he stepped down off the last step. Venn flew at him from the shadows, ready to attack. With relative ease, Reed avoided the punches. He swung his leg around, tripping Venn.

Reed leaped on top of Venn, dropping all but one rope on the floor. Venn struggled under Reed with wild eyes. Reed's face was carefully expressionless as he forced Venn onto his stomach and started tying his hands together. Venn fought like his life depended on it, cursing the whole time.

After five minutes of wrestling with Venn to keep him in place, Reed finally got the rope around his hands. He pulled it tight, wrapping the rope around six times before he tied it off.

Reed moved to Venn's legs, which were easier to tie, but didn't hurt his heart any less. With each twist of the rope, Venn grew more and more desperate. Reed tried hard to not look at Venn's face. When he did, the look of mixed betrayal, rage, and fear on Venn's face made him look away.

Eventually, Reed stood and stepped back. Venn's legs were tied securely together in three places and his hands were bound tight behind his back. Both boys were breathing hard.

Venn twisted desperately against the ropes. The fear in his eyes was building as it became more and more obvious that Reed was going to leave. "Reed please," he begged, looking up at Reed. "Please don't."

Reed shook his head as he backed up toward the door. It tore at his heart to do this, but it had to be done. "I'm so sorry Venn. I'll be back I swear it." Reed turned around and hurried toward the door.

"REED!" Venn wailed, the panic in his voice clearly evident. "DON'T LEAVE ME!"

Reed looked back once, he mentally berated himself for not finding a better solution when he saw Venn's terror and desperation. "I'm sorry..." he said again, then left. Venn's screaming becoming muffled as he ran up the stairs, slamming the door behind himself.

Reed returned after several hours. He wasted no time in going downstairs. Venn had managed to prop himself up against a wall. He looked small and wilted and he was shaking like a leaf in the wind. The sight made Reed's heart break all over again.

Reed approached slowly. "Hey Venn..."

Venn looked up slowly. His gaze hardened when he saw Reed kneeling next to him. Fear still glittered in his eyes. "Finally felt bad? Took you long enough. Would you like to know how long you were gone down to the very second?"

Reed made no response. He untied Venn quickly and helped him up. The two stood there in the dimly lit basement for several minutes, Reed looking guilty and Venn bristling with rage.

Reed took a deep breath. "Venn, I-"

He was cut off by Venn's fist. It connected with the side of his head in a solid, hard blow that made him stagger back against a desk. His vision swam.

Venn glared. "Don't you EVER do that to me again," his voice shook. It broke when he added, "I... I trusted you."

Reed kept his eyes on the ground, his face stinging. He said nothing, realizing just how big of a mistake he'd made.

Venn snorted in disgust. "Can't even defend yourself," he spat. "Pathetic." He turned and stormed up the stairs without another word, leaving Reed alone with his guilt.